William Earl Blanks,95, died Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Born in Hampton, he was a lifelong Peninsula resident and member of Central United Methodist Church. He was a 1950 graduate of Hampton High School. He attended the Newport News Shipyard Apprentice School where he played football, then he joined the US Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return home, he went to work at NACA (now NASA) and eventually retired from civil service at Naval Air Rework in Norfolk after 27 years of service. Mr. Blanks was also a member of the Peninsula Retired Men’s Club and the Laugh A Lot Rod and Gun Club.

Preceded in death by his wife, Barbara H. Blanks; a sister, Bettie Carlson; and two brothers, Ed Blanks and Richard Blanks; survivors include his daughter, Leslie Blanks; his son, Mark Blanks; seven grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1PM on Monday, September 28, 2026, in the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home chapel. Inurnment with Marine honors will take place at the Albert G. Horton State Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk at 3PM.